Concerned about lab tests!
HELLO- I am 3.5 months post-op and have severe OA in my knees and ankles and have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and APS-Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome( autoimmune disorder). My c-reactive protein was in the 9's and my SED rate was in the 90's! From my own research that is pretty elevated and my dr. doesn't seem too concerned about it. They just keep going up and up and all my labwork for RA and Lupus are coming back negative, but my Rheumatologist says I have many of the "physical symptoms." What gives do you think? Despite losing 76 pds in 3.5 months, my numbers are increasing as well as my pain levels. Are there any meds and/or tests you might recommend for me. Thanks!
"Friendship is like peeing on yourself : Everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings"....Anonymous
hi,
I have psoriatic arthritis (it's a variant for of rheumatoid arthritis) and my
sed rate and c=reactive protein were all normal. Unfortunately blood tests are non=specific, most rheumatologists have to go by physical symptoms. There is a whole criteria of specific physical findings that indicate RA. While weight loss can make your jonnts feel better, it doesn't make the disease itself better. RA is systemic and doesn't coorelate to weight loss.
If you go on-line and google dr doc you will get one of the best and informative websites in the world. The physician is from South Africa but has links to the American College of
rheumatology and the arthritis foundation in the USA. Keep working with your rheumatologist.
It may take a while but you can eventually get control. I have had arthritis since I was 29 (I'm 50 now) I walk and jog, have done 6 mini marathons and too many 5K's too count. The best advice I was given by my doctor is to keep moving. There is this weird paradox effect. If you are in pain get up and walk! And do it as fast as you can. We you are done and even the next day, you will be amazed at how much your pain has lessened. The movement helps move fluid out of your joints and also to lubricate the joints.
Good luck!
I have psoriatic arthritis (it's a variant for of rheumatoid arthritis) and my
sed rate and c=reactive protein were all normal. Unfortunately blood tests are non=specific, most rheumatologists have to go by physical symptoms. There is a whole criteria of specific physical findings that indicate RA. While weight loss can make your jonnts feel better, it doesn't make the disease itself better. RA is systemic and doesn't coorelate to weight loss.
If you go on-line and google dr doc you will get one of the best and informative websites in the world. The physician is from South Africa but has links to the American College of
rheumatology and the arthritis foundation in the USA. Keep working with your rheumatologist.
It may take a while but you can eventually get control. I have had arthritis since I was 29 (I'm 50 now) I walk and jog, have done 6 mini marathons and too many 5K's too count. The best advice I was given by my doctor is to keep moving. There is this weird paradox effect. If you are in pain get up and walk! And do it as fast as you can. We you are done and even the next day, you will be amazed at how much your pain has lessened. The movement helps move fluid out of your joints and also to lubricate the joints.
Good luck!
I have been going down a similar road since 2000 - elevated SED rate & C-Reactive Protein. Not one doctor really discusses the implications of chronic inflammation and no one addresses what can be done to stop the inflammation.
I have fibromyalgia (since 2000). Rheumatologists has gone back and forth between lupus, polymyalgia rhuematica, and RA because the rheumatology factor is negative and so is the ANA antibody. He's finally settled on zero serum RA because my joints hurt like made especially in my fingers. The problem with him is that he doesn't consider how these illnesses are affecting my job and daily life nor does he give complete info with prescription - i.e. daily naprosyn without previcid and I ended up hospitalized with a near ulcer and plaquanil and didn't tell me to get an opthomology screening. My new rheumatologist is wonderful thourogh and takes how I function into consideration.
Sorry about your pain. I've been told that WLS sometimes makes fibro worse. I have my consultation for DS on 2/5. Keep us posted.
I have fibromyalgia (since 2000). Rheumatologists has gone back and forth between lupus, polymyalgia rhuematica, and RA because the rheumatology factor is negative and so is the ANA antibody. He's finally settled on zero serum RA because my joints hurt like made especially in my fingers. The problem with him is that he doesn't consider how these illnesses are affecting my job and daily life nor does he give complete info with prescription - i.e. daily naprosyn without previcid and I ended up hospitalized with a near ulcer and plaquanil and didn't tell me to get an opthomology screening. My new rheumatologist is wonderful thourogh and takes how I function into consideration.
Sorry about your pain. I've been told that WLS sometimes makes fibro worse. I have my consultation for DS on 2/5. Keep us posted.
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